Improvement in reed-organs



2 Sheets--Sheet1. T. 8T0 D DA RT.

Reed-Organs,

$40,156,957. Patented Nov. 17, 1874.

m m B %M 17 71 H 1 fi i l INVENTOR Attorneys THE GRAPHIC C0.PHoTmLltmQsaA-l PARK I'LACE,N.Y.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

THOMAS STODDART, OF WAUPUN, WISCONSIN.

IMPROVEMENT IN REED-ORGANS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 156,957, dated November17, 1874; application filed August 17, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TnoMAs STODDART, of Waupun, in the county of Fond duLac and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and valuable Improvementin Reed-0rgans; and 1 do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of thesame, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of thisspecification, and to the letters and figures of reference markedthereon.

Figure l of the drawing is a representation of a side View of myreed-organ. Fig. 2 is a front view, Fig. 3 is a central verticalsectional view, and Fig. i is a top view, of the same.

This invention has relation to reedcrgans and it consists in theconstruction and novel arrangement of the double-action back or upperexhaust, whereby one part is made to yield before the other, in such amanner as to produce a tone more softened than the ordinary tone of theorgan, and of the sound brace or bridge connecting the reed-board to thebottom of the wind-chest, as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the wind-chest,and B the reedboard, constructed in the ordinary manner. 0 designatesthe supporting-frame of the instrument. D represents the upper or backexhaust, one portion of which is designed to be exhausted on weaksprings, as indicated at c, producing a soft tone; and, when exhausted,presses on the strong springs f, on which the other portion isexhausted, producing the usual loud tone.

It is immaterial to which portion of the back exhaust the weaker springsare applied, as this portion will always yield first, producing thedesired effect.

The springs may be arranged either internally or externally, as may bethought most desirable.

G designates the sounding bridge or brace, located under the middleportion of the reedboard, and connecting the same with the bottom of thewind-chest, on the principle of the sound-post in a violin. Thissonndbrace is designed to be independent of the usual screwed edgeconnecting the reed-board and wind-chest, and is preferably constructedin two portions,

a and b, one running at right angles with the other, and bearing againsteach other at their middle portions, as illustrated in the drawings. Orthe oblique arrangement may be employed, it thought desirable. Insteadof being in two portions, the soundingbridge may be made in one piece;butitis not so convenient in the construction.

H designates the bass, and H the treble, couplerplatforms, hinged attheir rear edges, so that their front edges may be raised or lowered.These platforms or tables are provided with coupling-rollers, and armsto operate in depressing the valves of the octave in the mannerindicated in the patent of A. W. Wilcox, No. 86,385, dated January 26,1869 5 or other suitable couplers may be provided. These coupler-tablesare independent of each other, and are, respectively, provided with pins0, or other suitable devices, whereby they are designed to engage withthe inclined planes 1) c of the knee-slide K, arranged in suitable beanings, and provided with depending arm 70,10- cated in front, and in asuitable position to be readily operated by the knee, thereby throwingthe couplers on or off according to requirement. By means of thisT-shaped slide the performer is enabled to give the couplers a quick andpositive movement, which is adapted for the most rapid execution.

Instead of constructing the springs of the two portions of the backexhaust of the relative degrees of elasticity above described, I mayfind it desirable to use springs approximating somewhat in strength, sothat, while the weakor spring will always permit one portion of theexhaust to yield first, yet the stronger springs will commence to yieldbefore the weaker ones have ceased. If the weaker springs are appliedbetween the inner and outer boards of a bellows, as illustrated in thedrawings, that portion thereof which is between the frame or board L andthe outer board will be first operated when the treadle is actuated,and, the reflex action being slight, owing to the comparative weaknessof the extending springs c, the reeds will speak in a softened tone, theusual forte sounds being produced, when desired, by means of the strongsprings 1, which, by a more forcible distension of the portion of thebellows between the frame or board L and the the bottom of theWind-chest, of the soundinginner board thereof, cause a more rap'd andbridge, substantially as specified. stronger exhaust through the reeds.In testimony that I claim the above I have What I claim as new anddesire to secure hereunto subscribed my name in the presence by LettersPatent, isof two witnesses.

1. In combination with the bellows and exhaust-boards of a reed-organ,the springs e f, THOMAS STODDART. arranged, respectively, as and for thepurpose Vitnesses: set forth. A. NUDD,

2. The eombinationmith the reed-board and SAM. CHAMBERLIN.

